Small people offer big help

September 14, 2005

OTSEGO LAKE TWP. - "Small towns and little (young) people can do major things," said Sheila Every of Waters.

Every was sharing the experience of her 12-year-old daughter, Tonya, and Tonya's friend, 12-year-old Meredith Thornton, who raised $237 by peddling cookies, pies and other baked goods in a one-day fund-raiser for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The girls spent Friday and Saturday night baking and distributing flyers seeking donations of baked goods, said Every. "When I picked up Meredith for the sleepover, she had her backpack filled with cooking oil," more ingredients and recipe cards, said Every. On Sunday, under a 20-foot-by-20-foot canopy donated by Pro-Source Rentals, they hawked their baked goods to passing motorists.

"It was amazing," Every reported of the response of "customers." One gentleman donated $55 for four cookies.The girls have decided to donate the funds to an organization which will help to rescue animals left behind in the hurricane area.